Although entitled, Secrets of Chinese Karate, it's easy to see Mr. Parker forming his personal art of American Kenpo within the pages of this book. One of the notable sections is the pictorial instruction on Two-Man Set. This form is still used today in many schools teaching American Kenpo.
This book will assist you in learning and understanding how Mr. Parker's art of American Kenpo came about. It's essential that his students read his older works as well as his new. It's through this study that you can find consistency in his lessons and better understand his art.
Kenpo Karate Volume 1 (The Basics) - 1967
Volume 1 (The Basics) was the first of Mr. Parker's publications that extensively used photographs to instruct his art of American Kenpo. Again, from an historical perspective this booklet is a collectors item. But aside from its collectors value, it still contains valuable information on stances, blocks, punches, kicks, and forms.
In this volume Mr. Parker instructs his students: "The best way to develop a feel for Kenpo Karate is to practice the forms. The opportunity is present to concentrate on the proper execution of each move, on balance, on posture, and on stance." He continues with brief, but important explanations of his forms and Kenpo in general.
Kenpo Karate - 1960
Written in 1960, this is an introduction to Kenpo Karate. It gives the reader an historical perspective into how Mr. Parker was developing his art in the earlier days of Kenpo. Mr. Parker explains how to fell an opponent through the manipulation of the hands, feet, knees and elbows. Each blow is delivered swiftly and precisely so that very little time is spent on one man. The coordination developed is such that three opponents can receive a blow at exactly the same moment. Using the many parts of the body as weapons, combined with the knowledge of maneuverability, a person with the knowledge of KENPO KARATE can be equivalent to five of more men.
The Woman's Guide to Self-Defense - 1968
Although written as a woman's guide to self-defense, anyone can find value in this books simple approach to defending one's self through everyday movements and the use of everyday objects. When this book was written there were few women involved in the martial arts, but through this book many women realized they could learn to protect themselves through its study.
This book should be look upon as a starting point to independent thinking, an opportunity to consider those tactics and weapons available to individuals who suddenly find themselves in a real situation of self-defense.
Ed Parker's Guide to the Nunchaku - 1975
In the 1970s, along with the proliferation of Bruce Lee movies, came the nunchaku. Although used as a weapon many years ago the actual application was becoming lost in the dazzling displays of movie magic.
Ed Parker's Guide to the Nunchaku is a practical guide to understand the nunchaku and how it's used for self-defense. There's no flashy movements, but standing true to his methods Mr. Parker gives the reader a better understanding of how the nunchaku can be used as a weapon, while again reinforcing the principles of American Kenpo in the process. This book could have been titled, Ed Parker's PRACTICAL Guide to the Nunchaku.
Infinite Insights into Kenpo 1 - 1982
The first of Mr. Parker's five volume series "Mental Stimulation" sets the groundwork for learning American Kenpo. He has taken much from his earlier works and refined it into telling the reader what American Kenpo is and what he will be teaching in the next four volumes.
Although the material touches on a few traditional elements and concepts, the majority of the information contained within this book and the volumes that follow consists of Mr. Parker's own concepts principles, theories, analogies, equations, and beliefs. A must read for all martial artists.
Infinite Insights into Kenpo 2 - 1983
The second of Mr. Parker five volume series "Physical Analyzation" was part of an eleven year endeavor to consolidate Mr. Parker's concepts, principles, theories, analogies, equations and beliefs regarding American Kenpo. Although his files were filled with partially completed as well as completed manuscripts, he felt that he had gathered enough information to adequately cover most of the essential subjects.
Volume 2 specifically teaches you how to tailor stances to your physical make-up. Maneuvers constitute the second basic topic in Volume 2.
Infinite Insights into Kenpo 3 - 1985
The third of Mr. Parker five volume series "Physical Analyzation II" is a continued segment of Volume 2. It too, has been structured to create interest in viewing related facets of the Martial Arts from new and varied perspectives. While both Volumes technically describe the basic fundamentals in the five major categories that comprise American Kenpo, Volume 3 is specifically concerned with blocks, strikes, and specialized move and methods .
Emphasis is again placed on utilizing the principle of tailoring – a principle that stresses the need to tailor basic fundamentals of your physical make-up.
Infinite Insights into Kenpo 4 - 1986
The fourth of Mr. Parker five volume series "Mental & Physical Constituents" contains additional ingredients that are often overlooked or taken for granted, but are necessary to maximizing your efforts. This book entails proper methods of employing your mental attributes, synchronized breathing; knowledge of target areas, zone concepts, and how basic concepts and principles chronologically work.
Sophisticated use of these ingredients and knowledge, harmoniously combined with those previously mentioned, can transmit, focus, and generate phenomenal power in addition to obtaining precisioned accuracy.
Infinite Insights into Kenpo 5 - 1987
The fifth of Mr. Parker five volume series "Mental & Physical Applications" is to incorporate all the basic theories, concepts, and principles discussed in Volumes 1 through 4 to achieve a more complete understanding of how these mental and physical aspect relate, function, and apply. Acquiring this knowledge not only develops refined techniques, but can result in success in combat.
Realistic preparations, must be made to overcome environmental conditions, unpredictable events, or to curtail an opponent whose unorthodox actions and reactions can unexpectedly create variables that may cause defeat.
The Zen of Kenpo - 1988
The Zen of Kenpo is subtitled "Meaningful Quotes for the Teaching of Ed Parker". From A to Z it takes you on a journey through the mind of Ed Parker. Below is but one example of his thoughts.
"Techniques: Self-defense techniques are case studies in motion. The purpose of techniques is to define as well as increase an individual's vocabulary of movements: As his vocabulary of movements increases, he becomes more expressive with his body parts, and through this expression, becomes more extemporaneous with his physical movements."
Ed Parker's Encyclopedia of Kenpo - 1992
After years of experimenting, discovering, teaching and sharing, Mr. Parker's efforts have culminated in a distinctive method of converting verbal language into physical language. He would try to personalize the lessons through the use of analogies, sayings, and short stories, making real for most students what are often “too technical” descriptions. The Encyclopedia of Kenpo is essential for any serious student of American Kenpo.
Published after Mr. Parker's passing, this was his final work and in the minds of many, his most significant in terms of assisting his students understand the art of American Kenpo.
